How much is too much?

The Singer Solution to World Poverty, by utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer, was a short article that was read as an assignment a few weeks ago. This article was very creatively written with two extreme examples of Singer's idea on how we should help world poverty. Singer's words force the readers to think about their own lives, and morally challenges them to help others less fortunate. He even gives web addresses and charity contact numbers following his two examples of moral decisions. The Gift, a story about Zell Kravinsky as told by Ian Parker takes the word 'humanitarian' to an extreme. Zell Kravinsky was a unorthodox successful business man who donated over 45 million dollars in real estate fortune to numerous charities along with undergoing a kidney transplant to donate to a woman whose name he only knew. After reading these stories of unbelievable humanitarians, we were instructed to conduct interviews with a partner from our class with self made questions regarding The Singer Solution to World Poverty and The Gift.

Q: Peter Singer seems to define a humanitarian as a person who will forgo personal luxuries to donate one-third of their income to charities. Zell Kravinsky seems to define a humanitarian as someone not only donates money but also unnecessary body organs (it is stated in the article that Kravinsky considers anyone who is not donating a kidney is a murderer). Which of these definitions do you agree with? Do you consider yourself a humanitarian?

Kimo: "I don't agree with either one of these definitions. They are both too extreme...I consider myself a humanitarian but in a different way then Kravinsky or Singer does. I donate time rather than money. I never give money, I'll give my time...it makes more of a difference and makes me feel good at the same time. I'll go visit sick little kids in the hospital or any other kind of charity work I can participate in where I am donating my time. I will donate my time whenever I can...it makes me feel good."

Q: In The Gift we saw that Zell Kravinsky had donated nearly 45 million dollars to charity and then donated a kidney to a low income Black woman. Kravinsky was consistently giving to others. Do you think there is a limit as to how much a person should give of themselves (money, time, ect.) ?

Kimo: "From my perspective, Kravinsky donating 45 million dollars and a kidney was a bit overboard. As I have said, giving away time is more important then giving money and it makes you feel really good inside. I believe in taking care of yourself and your family first, then giving away to others...how are you supposed to take care of others when you can't even take care of yourself? I personally don't believe you should give more to others than you would give to yourself."

Q: Zell Kravinsky has stated "I would not let many children die so my kids could live,". If you were in a situation where you had to save either your family or a town full of people, which would you save?

Kimo: "I would save my family. My family is the most important thing in the world to me. I would always save my family...they make me the man I am, I wouldn't be here without them...they support me in every single aspect. I would do anything to save my family in that situation."

Q: In The Gift Zell Kravinsky goes through an organ transplant when he is donating his kidney. In this operation there is a one in four thousand chance of dying. Do you feel that having an organ transplant is putting your family's life in danger?

Kimo: "No, I dont think you are necessarily putting your family's life in danger because there is a very slim chance of death. But I can definitely understand why a family may be concerned if someone in their family is having the operation done. Its a scary situation for anyone but most times it will turn out well and its saving the life of another person in desperate need."

Q: In The Singer Solution to World Poverty Peter Singer gives two examples of choices people can make in regards to donating to charities. He also gives contact numbers and web addresses following each example. What do you think Singer's purpose of writing this article was?

Kimo: "I think that Peter Singer wrote this article to make people more aware of what is going on around the world. In some ways I feel like Peter Singer was telling the reader not to waste their money on things they don't need...like bigger televisions or new cell phones. I believe in keeping it simple, not spending money on unnecessary items. I wouldn't spend a few hundred dollars on a new television when I have a perfectly good one at home. I think that was the message Peter Singer was trying to get across to his readers...if we all just used the money we would spend on new televisions or cell phones and instead donate that money towards a needy charity, the world would be much better off. I believe that to be somewhat true. Keep the "things" in your life simple, quick and easy."